Re: Went for some Rye for a change

Many people mistakenly believe Canadian whiskey contains GNS because American blended whiskey contains it. American blended whiskey is typically 80% GNS.

Canadian whiskey does not contain GNS. It does, however, usually contain a large amount of corn whiskey distilled at a fairly high proof and aged for at least two years, generally in used bourbon barrels. The typical Canadian whiskey, therefore, contains a lot more corn and other grains than it does rye.

The rye component, however, is distilled out at a lowish proof (e.g., 140) and made to be flavorful. Although rye may be a small amount of the overall volume it is the source of most of the flavor, so the term is not misplaced in that sense.

Re: Went for some Rye for a change

Originally Posted by cowdery

Many people mistakenly believe Canadian whiskey contains GNS...

and many people (you, me, Gary, others) have posted here that it does not. For some reason, that doesn'tstick. It's one of those beliefs that just refuses to die, like cavemen coexisting with dinosaurs or that "bipartisan" is something that could ever happen. I'm perplexed by its persistance. Could it be that it's...

Misdirected patriotism? As in, your blended whiskey is just as crappy as our blended whiskey! That, and/or the functional interchangeability of the two products (you can mix both with Coke, something you'd never do with blended Scotch)(well, you could, but who would want to drink it?)(aside from Tim)

Whatever reason, it's there and it's not going away. Posting to the contrary will have an only temporary effect. I'll bet you that within a month there will be someone posting on SB.com that "Canadian whisky contains GNS" (a purely rhetorical challenge, 'cause I know you recognize a sucker bet when you see one).

Originally Posted by cowdery

Canadian whiskey...does, however, usually contain a large amount of corn whiskey distilled at a fairly high proof and aged for at least two years...

I'm sure at least one of your loyal minions will take me to task for posting a "got-cha". To them I say, it would be hypocritical for Chuck to take to task others for their "ill informed" posts but to expect to be let off the hook for any errors he himself makes. Rocks, glass houses and all that.

We all have a common interest in ensuring that the information presented here is as accurate as possible...even if some reading it won't remember it by this time tomorrow.

Re: Went for some Rye for a change

I definitely agree that Canadian whisky sold in Canada can't contain GNS. It's because of the 3 year aging rule Scott mentioned.

While "flavouring" can be added to a Canadian whisky under Food and Drug Act (Canada) regulations, and flavouring is defined to include any domestic or imported spirit or wine, another rule states that for whisky consumed in Canada, any spirit in flavouring (brandy, say) must be aged at least 2 years. That excludes GNS.

Where I am less certain, is for whisky sent to the U.S. I find the law unclear whether flavouring can include GNS for exported products. Even if the law can be read to allow it, it doesn't mean in practice that Canadian whisky exported to the U.S. or elsewhere contains any.

Yet, as has been noted, you continually read of assumptions or statements that suggest it is added sometimes. Here is one I just found on a random search of the Internet, from a State alcohol authority: